Cisco recertification

As part of the presentation of the new certification system called next level certification, Cisco also announced an important modification of its recertification policy. As we may already know, all the certifications granted by Cisco Systems have a limited period of validity at the end of which a recertification is required to maintain the status of the certificate obtained. The main characteristics of this modification are the following:

• All Cisco certifications will have a validity period of 3 years .
• The possibility of using scores obtained through the continuing education program (CE - Continuing Education) is incorporated at all certification levels.
• The cap on CE scores earned through Cisco Live activities and content creation has been removed.
• This new policy will apply as of February 24, 2020 .

As always, the requirements for recertification must be completed within the 3-year period and prior to the expiration date of the Cisco certification. If the certification expires, then the entire certification process must be repeated to regain the status that was lost. As up to now, it is still possible to recertify only by presenting the corresponding exams.

Associate level - CCNA recertification

• Duration: 3 years.
• Only with exams: Passing the associate level exam (CCNA). Passing any concentration professional level exam (CCNP). Passing a core exam (CCNP). Passing an expert-level practical exam (CCIE).
• Only with continuing education (CE): Achieve 30 credits.

Specialty Recertification

• Duration: 3 years
• With exams only: Passing any concentration professional level exam (CCNP). Passing a core exam (CCNP). Passing an expert-level practical exam (CCIE).
• Only with continuing education (CE): Achieve 40 credits.

Professional level - CCNP recertification

• Duration: 3 years.
• With exams only: Passing a core exam (CCNP). Passing two exams professional level concentration (CCNP). Passing an expert-level practical exam (CCIE).
• Only with continuing education (CE): Achieve 80 credits.
• With a mix of exam and continuing education: Passing a professional level concentration exam and achieving 40 CE credits.

Expert level - CCIE recertification

• Duration: 3 years.
• With exams only: Pass an expert-level practical exam (CCIE). Pass three professional level concentration exams (CCNP). Pass a core exam and a concentration exam (CCNP).
• Only with continuing education (CE): Achieve 120 credits.
• With a mix of exams and continuing education: Pass a  core exam and 40 CE credits. Pass 2  concentration exams and 40 CE credits. Pass a  concentration exam and 80 CE credits.

CE activities

• Attend Cisco Live training sessions.
• Content generation for Cisco.
• Complete online training courses.
• Complete face-to-face training courses.